The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook: An Introduction to Problem Solving Based on the First 32 British Mathematical Olympiads 1965-1996 (Oxford Science Publications)

Begun in Hungary in the nineteenth century, Mathematical Olympiads are now held for high school students throughout the world. They feature problems which, though they require only high school mathematics, seem very difficult because they are unpredictable and have no obvious starting point. This book introduces readers to these delightful and challenging problems and aims to convince them that Olympiads are not just for a select minority. The book contains problems from the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO) competitions between 1965 and 1996. It includes hints and solutions for each problem from 1975 on, a review of the basic mathematical skills needed, and a list of recommended reading, making it an ideal source for enriching one's experience in mathematics.